Seattleites, turn on Q13 News at 5:30pm today when I’ll be talking about sparkling wines.

Well folks, 2011 is fast coming to a close, so it’s time to turn our attention to sparkling wines to help ring in the New Year.

Let me start by saying that if you’re not drinking sparkling wines year round, make this a New Year’s resolution. These wines are not just for special occasions. Imagine if people thought it was only appropriate to drink Cabernet on Valentine’s Day.Selecting sparkling wines can sometimes be challenging. What wine to buy? What style to buy? In terms of style, confusingly, wines labeled as Extra Dry are actually sweeter than Extra Brut and Brut wines. Demi-Sec is sweeter still. Bottom line, if you’re looking for something dry, wines labeled as Extra Brut or Brut are a good way to go (read more about sweetness levels of sparkling wine here).

Below is a list of seventeen sparkling wines across a variety of price points. Because a number of these wines are imported, I have also listed Seattle-area locations where I know these wines have been available in the past. Make sure to call in advance to confirm if you are interested in a specific wine. While I have listed below the larger stores in the Seattle area, any good wine retailer here or in other areas should have a large selection of quality sparkling wines. A few of my favorite local shops are McCarthy & Schiering (Note: There is a sparkling wine tasting at both locations Saturday 1-6), Pike & Western, Bin 41, Vino Verité, and 6th Avenue Wine Sellers which all have good selections.

The belle of the ball below is the 2004 Adam-Jaeger Blanc de Blancs Millesime Champagne. This is a grower Champagne, meaning the wine is made by a family that grows its own grapes. In contrast, the large Champagne houses make their wines from dozens or even hundreds of different vineyards. The Adam-Jaeger is 100% Chardonnay and is also vintage dated. It’s a knock out for this price (this is the wine that I’ll be drinking New Year’s eve).

Note that this wine is only available locally at Fat Cork, a Seattle-based importer/retailer on lower Queen Anne that deals exclusively with grower Champagne. Friend and owner Bryan Maletis is doing a great job at this new company, offering a variety of wines across a range of price points.

I was also particularly excited about the Drappier Brut Champagne Carte d'Or. Notably, this wine was originally listed at $49 but currently has a retail price around town of $35 or less. $35 for high quality Champagne? Yes please. I was also struck by the Scharffenberger Brut Excellence from California, which is a superb deal for $19.

Leave comments below on what wines you’re planning to open to celebrate the New Year or if you know of other locations where these particular wines are available. Whatever you do, I wish everyone a happy and safe start to 2012.

Adam-Jaeger Blanc de Blancs Millesime Champagne 2004 $55Rating: ** (Exceptional) An arresting, complex wine with pear, apple, and abundant autolytic notes. The palate is lively, stretching out from end to end with a creamy feel and bright acidity. A long, lingering finish. Among the more compelling wines I’ve had in 2011. 100% Chardonnay.Where: Fat Cork, a grower Champagne dedicated retailer on lower Queen Anne, Seattle

Drappier Brut Champagne Carte d'Or NV $49Rating: ** (Exceptional) An aromatic wine full of brioche and raspberries. The palate is dry with a creamy feel, full of evolving flavors of raspberries and lemon. An extended finish. Retail is listed at $49 but currently being sold around town for a non-sale price of $35, which is a steal.Where: Wine World Warehouse, Pete’s Wine Shop, Esquin

P Louis Martin Brut Champagne Bouzy NV $35Rating: */** (Excellent/Exceptional) Aromas of fresh baked bread, strawberry, and green apple. The palate is rich and flavorful – this is a red wine drinkers Champagne if ever there were one. Capped off by a long finish.Where: Wine World Warehouse, Pete’s Wine Shop

Domaine Ste. Michelle Extra Dry Sparkling Wine Columbia Valley NV $12Rating: + (Good) An enjoyable wine full of pear and tropical fruit notes. The sweetest of the Domaine Ste. Michelle offerings, this wine steps just one toe over the line in terms of sweetness based on its acidity. 12.0% alcohol. 2.3% Residual Sugar. 51,919 cases produced. Sample provided by winery. Reviewed December 6, 2011Where: Numerous locations including some grocery stores.

Lucien Albrecht Brut Rose Cremant d’Alsace France NV $23Rating: + (Good) An enjoyable, everyday sparkling wine that can frequently be found on sale in grocery stores, this wine brings sweet raspberries and strawberry aromas and flavors. The palate is dry, crisp, and light bodied. Note that I’m listing this wine as recommended as I always see it for a sub $20 price. At $23, I would pass. 100% Pinot Noir. 8,000 cases imported. RecommendedWhere: Numerous locations including some grocery stores.

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I could not agree more that sparkling wine is a year-round drink. I happen to be a blanc de blanc fan so I am planning on opening a NV Jose Dhondt B de B and a 1997 Ployez Jacquemart B de B. All the best for 2012!

Great post, Sean! Thank you for breaking outside the lines of the great WA wines to highlight some Champagne and other sparkling wines. We appreciate your enthusiasm here at Fat Cork and we will be raising a glass of Champagne to you tonight!

And to the readers; if you're not going out to a party on NYE, our favorite thing to do is: get a great bottle of Champagne, some take-home sushi, and rent a movie. Cheers!

Anon, thanks for mentioning Treveri. I reviewed their Gewurz a while back which I enjoyed quite a bit, but I didn't think it was quite right for New Years - perhaps I'm just a traditionalist! I also recently had their sparkling syrah in a non-evaluative setting that I thought was very enjoyable (and I should add that I was a bit skeptical going into it). I haven't had the other wines in their lineup unfortunately but they have been making some waves of late.